Folding apparatus for printing-presses.



H. F. BECHMAN.

FOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

.kPPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1908.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

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MIMI!!! Z] vwew to z myEBec/zmrz l vitwzgozoz I J H. F. BECHMAN.

FOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1908.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

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anvamtoz H. F. BEOHMAN.

FOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1908.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

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H. F. BEUHMAN. FOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING P RESSES.

APPLICATION 11.51) smmzs, 190s.

Patented Oct. 909.

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UNlTED STATE-Ed PATENT enrich.

HENRY F. BECHMAN, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX PRINTING: PRESS COMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, IVIICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

FOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING-PRESSES;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 196 9.

Application filed September 23, 1908. Serial No. 454,332.

To all whom it may concern: I

hereby declare that the following is a full,

Be it known that I, HENRY F. BEGHMAN,

of Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful lmprovemcnts n Fold- -1ng Apparatus fol-PI'l11t111g1PIGSS$S; and I clear, andexact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form partof this specification.

This invention is animprovement in paper folding means and has particular reference to rotary folding n'iechanisms for use in "connection with web-printing newspaperv presses; and its obj ect. is to provide a rotary folder which will be capable of operating at very high speed with smoothness and cer-, tainty, and in which the action of the tucker blades willbe positively controlled at all times, and absolute uniformity in operation be obtained.

I will describe the invention in detail as embodied'in .the mechanism illustrated in,

the accompanying drawings; and summarize the parts and combination of parts for which 1 protection is desired in the claims following said description.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a rotary web cutting andfolding mechanism embodying the invention and particularly adapted'for use in connection with rotary web-printing presses. i

In said drawings-Figure l is an end elevation of the complete folding apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly broken away. Figs. 3', d and 5 are enlarged detail' views, partly in section and partly broken away, illustrating the operation of I the tucker blades and their controlling devices. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of. the folding rolls and tucker blade.

with intermeshing goals 1, 2 as usual, so as to have the same peripheral speed; Cylinder' 1 IS tXVICG the diameter of cylinder 2 and is provided with two diametrically opposite cushionsl' respectively adapted to co-act with the blade 2 in cylinder 2 and igs. 7 and 8 aredetail sectional and face views of sever the web of paper, indicated at W, which isfed down to the cutting cylinders by rolls w, to, which are usually located at the apex of a former, not shown. The web may be led to the rolls 10, of, from any web printi-ng or manipulating mechanism.

Within the cylinder 1 are two diametrically opposite shafts 3, which may be rotatably journaled in. the cylinder as usual or in any suitable manner, and which carry opposite tucker blades 8; said shafts 3 project at each end beyond the ends of the cylinder l and are provided on their extremities with tumbling-levers 3 3 which levers are provided on opposite ends with outwardly projeeting pins 3, 3 which pins may be provided with rollers if desired. The pins 3, on tumblers 3 are adapted to engage with a guide-ring or race-way d which is secured to one ofthe side frames F by bolts l, see Figs. and 2,while the pins 3?, on the tumbling levers 3, are adapted to en gage a guide ring or race-way P secured to the oppositev side frame F by bolts d, as shown in Fig. 2. These race-ways 4, at control the position of, the tucker blades 3 and normally keep them retracted within the cylinder as shown in the upper part of Figs. 1 and 2, but permit these blades to be operated at the proper time to tuck the sheets between the folding rolls 5, 5*, which are located at one side of the cylinder 1, and are shown at the lower side thereof.

The cutting and folding cylinders 1 is customarily provided with pins or devices. adapted to engage the lead end of the sheet of paper before it is severed by the blade 2* and carry the same a proper distance beyond the'folding rolls 5, 5-, until the sheet is in position to be tucked therebetween. These devices are well known and form no part of the present invention and I have not attempted to illustrate them Within the cylinder as they would complicate the drawings. Furthermore while I have illustrated the invention as appliedto an ordinary form of being journnled in brackets attached to the side frames F, F, while the roll 5 is jourmiled in vertical. arms 5, pivoted on bolts or studs 5- :ittnched to side frames F, 5 l Each of said arms 5 has laterally projecting; portion 5 which is pivotally eonmzcled to a rod 5" that depends through an eye-stud 5 and a stout spring 5* is interposed between the stud end a. collar 5 on the rod; th tension of spring 5 is regulnble bv a nut 5 screwed on the lower end of rod elow studs lly these means the roll 5 is held with a yielding pressure against roll 5 The rolls 5 are provided with intermeshing gears 5 one of which gears meshes with a pinion (I- on the inner end of a shaft 6, journaled in bearings in the side frames, beside the rolls and having on one end a pinion G" moshing with an ii'ltermediate 6 which in turn meshes with gear 1 on the shaft i oiicylinder 1. This arrangement of gearing of course the particular design of the machine or folder to which the invention is applied.

' away adjiicent the rolls 5, 5, as indicated in the drawings, so that when the tucker blades reach the rolls 5, 5 and while they operate in connection with said rolls, they are under 36 devices arranged follows.

Below'the guidering l is a rotary race- .u 'ny 7 which is formed on the surface of a, disk 7", see Figs. 7 and 8, said race-way being about 120 degrees in length and being concentric to the axis of said (liSlQ/Wllldh is provided with a stub-shaft 7 joulnaled in the side frame F and has a gear 7 on its outer endmeshing with a pinion 7 journeled on a stud attached to the side frame F and in turn meshing with a gear 7* on the shaft ii of cylinder 1., the gears being so proportioned that raceway 7 makes two orbital rotations for each rotation of cylinder 1. The race-way is so located and the gearing so proportioned. that the lowermost pin on the tiunbling lever 3 which is descendat the side of die cylinder 1., next to cylway 3' just as 1 n shove the roll lines-army will take tiling lever and c:

said pin reaches a POSF 5 Fig. 3) end said control oi": the said tunisztid lever to operate il a -nmc tzted turzltt. -hlade so zis to tuck the paper ictween the rolls 5, 13", (see Fig. 6) as hereinafter plnined. 'lhc rotary race-way l coi '.ts Slttf i6 with the tumbling leve on the snails ll, but'disengages suid lewrs :z'l'tr-r the blade has been caused to ll l'li the n, 2" lr-ciween the folding rolls 5, 7 Lil} mid wt or which time the blade passes into the control o'l' another rotary raceway E5. or tstructod like i'El.('Q--. ay '7. hunted at the opposite side of the machine. below the guide-ring t"; said raceway 8 being formed could be changed to suitv The guide-rings or race-ways 4:, l", are out of ring 4i: and has the control of positively operating rotary 2, will enter the advancing end of the I on a disk 8 having a stulrslmft 8 journelcd in the side-frame F, on. the outer end of which stub-shaft 1s keyed a pinion 8 meshing with an intermediate 8 v which. in

turn meshes with a gear on shaft 1 of cylinder 1; the gearing being so proportioned that tl.1c"r:ice-wuy 8 is rotated twice for each revolution of the cylinder l and is rotated in the same direction as race-way 7. The race-way 8 is similar in construction to race-way 7 and it is unnecessary to illustrate it separately in detail in the drawings. The race-way 8 is arranged to engage the pins 3", on the tumbling levers 3, when either shaft to which said levers are attached is at the lower side-of cylinder 1 and directly over the rolls 5, 5, (see Figs. 4:43). And the rotary race-way 8 engages one of the pins 3 of such lever at the moment that race-way 7 surrenders control of the related lever 3*" at the other end of the shaft. The operation of these rotary race-ways will be more readily understood by reference to Figs. 3, i, 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Fig. 2? shows the position of parts when one set of tucking-blades 3 is in position to comn'lence a tucking operation. At this time one of the pins 3 has left the lower end entered the upper end. of the rotary raceway 7 which is turning towerd the advancing tucker-shaft 3 in a direction contrary to the direction of travel of the tuckerhlsde shaft. As the shaft 3 is moved laterally by the cylinder it follows that the pin 3 is retarded and directed downwardly by tlierotery raceway 7, and as the shaft 3 advances to the position shown in Fig. i the blade 3 is caused to tuck the papers between the rolls 5, 5*, as indicated in Fig. 6. By this time however the rotary race-way 7 has. advanced so that it is almost ready to leave the pin 3, on tumbling lever 3 but at this same moment the lowermost.

pin 3 on the tui'nbling-lever 3", on the opposite end of shaft 3 is just in position to enter the forward end of the race-way 8,'Which is rotating in the some direction as race-way '7, indicated in Figs. d and (3; and as shaft 3 travels on, pin 3 is entered in race-way 8,

end in connection vwFh the movement of shaft the troubling ever 3 completes the half revolution of the shaft 3 and brings the tucker-blades. away from the folding rolls, god the pins 3", 3, are'lnid againstihe rings L, gn

As indicated in Fist. leases the pin 3 just as it passes onto the receiving end. of the ring 4*. It will be seen that the operation of either set of tucking blades 3" is accomplished by the successive l; {,illfll'dlll ifi] of race-ways 7 and 8; race-way 7 operating on one end of the rock-shaft to cause the blade to tuck the paper between the rolls, and then the blade is withdrawn from. the rolls and directed back into the 5 the raceway 8 redosages 1 8 cylinder by the operation of the other rotary-rece-Way 8 tumbling lever at the opposite and of the shaft. Also that the race-ways '7 and 8 operate successively and not simultaneously, and at opposite ends of the cylinder, and on opposite ends of the tucker-blade Shafts. And one race-way controls the tucking movement of the blade or projection of the blade out of the cylinder, 1 and the other race-way 8 controls the retraction of the tucker-blade or its withdrawal into the cylinder. It will also be observed that the race-ways 7 and 8 move in a direction opposite to the line of movement of the tumbling-lever pins (3, 3*) with which they co-act at the time of engagement therewith, and that the change of control of a tucker e shaft from raceway 7' to race-way 8 is ed at the time where there is a momenl, or dead. center, in the movement tne lowermost pins (3, 3 on'the tumoliog -levers connected to the operating blade shaft. And the lengthof the race-ways 7 and 8 and their speed of move ment is so proportioned that they do not interfere with each other in their action on the pins or tumbling-levers.

By the aforesaid construction and arrangement of parts the tucker-blades are operated with smoothness and without shock of im-' pact against unyielding surfaces; and the folder will. operate etlicicntly and quickly and with less noise than in the old construction wherein the Rambling-lever is operated by pins engaging slots or notches in the rings; and the tucker-blades moreover will be projected and retracted more slowly, com- "ely speaking, than in the old contherefore will operate more is certainly and onitormly. l Jhi-le 1 li re described. the operation in th one set of the tucker blades conne .tion is 3 is obvious that every other setf oi tnckenbl-ad s in the cylinder will be opersteel in 'actly the same manner when they c folding rolls; and any desired -,lrerblades can be used in the t should be noted that when the tuckerblades are in projected position, as indicated in the lowermost pins 3" and 3 21 e at dead center, but the tucker-shaft and blade will'be firmly held by the coaction of the race-ways 7 and 8 which still control the respective pins 3 and 3 Neither pin nor 3 ever in its racewzay. The pins 8 pass entirely throng-h race-way 7, and the pins 3 pass entirely through raceway 8, each pin 80 entering; one end of its race-w ay and leaving at the other end tl'i reo'l'.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon is: 1 In combination, folding rolls, a tucker the said blade, the said devices movireverses its movement l1ow-.

blade, and means for moving said blade laterally past the said rolls,=with a ,pain of rotary devices one or which 18 adapted to cause the blade to tuck a sheet between the rolls and the other of which is adaptedto retract ina direction contraryto thedirection o't'lnt rnl movement of the tucker blade atthe'" 16S and points of theiroperation thereon'i- 2. In combination, a pair of folding-rolls, a tucker blade, and means for moving. said blade laterally in an orbital path adjacent the said rolls, with a pair otrotary race ways one of which is adapted toca'use the blade to tuck a sheet between the rolls-and the other of which is adapted toretractthe tucker blade, the said-race'x'vays moving in a direction opposite to the direction o'filateral movement of the tucker blade at the times and points of their operation thereonl 3. In combination, folding rolls, a {tri'clcer blade, and means for moving said blade laterally past the said'rolls, with afrot'ai-y device adapted to project the tucker blade be tween the rolls, a'se cond rotary device adapted to retract the tucker blad'e,"'and for rotating both the said"devices n same direction, the said devices inovinf in a direction contrary to the direction ofjlateral movement of. the tri'cker bladeat'th' times and points of their operation there/oi 4. In combination, a pairoffoldi a tucker blade, and means foriiiovn blade laterally in an orbital[patlnatlthe said rolls, with a pair of we ways one of which is adapted tdpiioybt the/tucker blade between the rolls and the other of which is" adapted toretract the tucker blade, said race waysoperatiii lternately on the blade, and means for o ting both rare ways in one direction, 'tles'itid race ways moving in a direction opposite to the direction of lateral movement 'f ol the tucker blade at the timesand'points'oftheir operation therimn. I

5. In a folding mechanis'ni, the combination of cutting and folding cylinde1's,a"'tu.ckin; blade in the folding cylinder and nioved laterally thereby, and a pair ofirota ry devices adapted to r spectively cali'se'the' pro-' jection and the retraction, of the tucl'ie ladle,

the said devices moving in a direction contumbling levers. to cause the projection and retraction of the tucker blades, said rotary members at the points ofengagem'entf with the tumbling levers trayeling in adirection contrary to the lateral movement of the tucker blades.

7. 'In a' rotary folder, the combination of a folding cylinder, a shaft therein carrying tucker blades and provided with tumbling levers on its ends and moved laterally by the cylinden folding devices beside the cylinder, and a pair of rotary members adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to respectively cause the tucker blades to tuck a sheet between the rolls and to withdraw therefrom, said rotary members at the points of engagement With the tumbling levers traveling in a direction contrary to the lateral movement of the tucker blades.

8. In a folder, the combination of a folding cylinder, a shaft therein carrying a tucker blade and provided with tumbling levers on its ends'and moved laterally by the cylinder, a pair of folding rolls beside the,

folding cylinder, and rotary race ways adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to cause the tucker blade totuck a sheet between the rolls and to withdraw therefrom, the said race waysmoving in a direction opposite to the direction of lateral movement of the tucker blade at the times and points of their operation thereon.

9. In a folder, the combination of folding and cutting cylinders, a shaft in the folding cylinder carrying tucker-blades and provided with tumbling levers on its ends and moved laterally by the cylinder, a pair of folding rolls beside the folding cylinder, and rotary members adjacent the folding rolls and at opposite ends of the folding cylinder adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to cause the tucker blades to tuck a sheet between the rolls and to withdraw therefrom, said rotary members at the points of engagement with the tumbling levers traveling in a direction contraryto the lat eral movement of the tucker blades.

10. In a folder, the combination of folding and cutting cylinders, a pair of folding rolls beside the folding cylinder, a shaft journaled in the folding c dinder and carrymg tucking blades, and tumbling levers on the ends of the shaft said shaft being moved laterally by the cylinder; with a rotary member at each end of the cylinder, one of said members being adapted to engage one tmn-.

bling lever to cause the blades to tnclr a sheet between the rolls, and the other *of said members being adapted to engage the opposite lever to cause the retraction of the blade from the rolls, said rotary members at the points of engagement with the tunablin levers traveling in a direction contrary to the lateral movement of the tucker blades. 11, In a folder, the combination of foldmg and cutting cylinders, a pair of folding rolls beside the folding cylinder, a shaft journaled in the folding cylinder carrying tucking blades, and tumbling levers on the esasea ends of the shaft said shaft being moved laterally by the cylinders; with a. pair of rotary race ways located at opposite ends of the cylinder, one of said race Ways being adapted to engageone of the tumbling levers to cause the blades to tuck a shee beiaveen the rolls and the ther of said race ways being adapted to engage the opposite lever and retract the blade from the rolls, the said race ways moving in a direction opposite to the direction of lateral movement of the tiiclrer blades at the times and points of their open ation thereon.

1.2. In a folding mechanism, the combination of cutting and folding cylinders, tucking blades in the folding cylinder and moved laterally thereby, tumbling levers connected with said blades, a pair of rotary race Ways adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to cause the projection andretraction of the tucker blades; said rotary race Ways being arranged at opposite ends of: the cylinder and rotating in he direction, the said race ways'moving in a direction opposite to the direction of lateral movementof the tucker blades at the times and points of their operation thereon.

1.3. in a folding mechanism, the con'ibination of cutting and folding cylinders, a shaft in the folding cylinder carrying tucker bla and moved laterally by the cylinder, tumbling levers connected to opposite ends of said shaft, a. pair of rotary race ways located at opposite ends of the folding cylinder and rotating in the same direction, and adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to cause the projection and retraction of the tucker blades, the said race ways moving in a direction opposite to the direction.

of lateral movement of the tucker blades at the times and points of their operation thereon.

14:. In a folding mechanism, the combination of cutting and folding cylinders, tucking blades in the foldingcyliin'ler and moved laterally thereby, tumbling levers at opposite ends of the folding cylinder connected with said blades, and a pair (if-rotary race ways adapted to alternately engage the tumbling levers to cause the projection and retraction of the tucker blades; said rotary race ways being arranged. opposite ends of the folding cylinder, the said race moving in a direction opposite'to the direction of lateral movement of the tucker blades at the times and points of their operation thereon.

15. In a folder, the combinctioi'i of fold- 1115,! and cutting cylimhars, a pair of folding rolls: tucker blades in the folding cylinderand moved laterally thereby, tumbling; le vcrs connected with said blades, guide rings tion of the tucking blades, the said race ways moving in a direction opposite to the direcsame direction, oneof said race ways engagtion oflateral movement of the tucker blades ing one of the tumbling levers to cause the to at the times and points of their operation f tucker blades to direct the sheet into the thereon. folding devices, and the other of said rotary 16. In a folder, the combination offoldrace ways engaging the other tumbling lever in and cutting cylinders, a pair of folding to cause the. retraction of the tucker blades, r0 ls, shafts in the folding cylinders carry- 1 the said race ways moving in a direction 65 in tucker blades and moved laterally by the opposite to theodirection of lateral movement cylinder, tumbling levers on the opposite i of the tucker blades at the times and points ends of each of said shafts, gnide'rings for of their operation thereon. said levers, and a pair of rotary race ways 20. In a rotary folder, the combination of adapted to alternately engage the levers and cutting and folding cylinders, folding de- 70 respectively cause the projection and revices beside the folding cylinder, a shaft traction of the tucking blades, the said race journaled in the folding cylinder carrying ways moving in a direction opposite to-the tucker blades and moved laterally by the direction of lateral movement of the tucker cylinder, tumbling levers attached to the opblades, at the times and points of their opposite ends of said shaft, a rotary race way 75 eration thereon. adjacent each end of the folding cylinder' 17. In a rotary folder, the combination of means for rotating the said race Ways, sai

foldin and cutting cylinders, folding derotary race ways acting in alternation, and vices geside the folding cylinder, tucking one of said race ways causing the tucker. blades in said cylinder and moved laterally blades to direct a sheet between the folding so 1 thereby, tumbling levers connected with de'vices and the other of said race. ways each of said blades at opposite ends of said causing the retraction of the tucker blades,

cylinder, rotary members adjacent the foldthe said race ways movin in a direction oping rolls-and at opposite ends of the cylinder posite to the direction 0 lateral movement adapted to alternately engage the said tumof the tucker blades at the timesand points 85 bling levers to respectively cause the proof their operation thereon.

jection and retraction of the tucking blades, 21. In a rotary folder, the 'combination of said rotary members at the points of encutting and folding cylinders, a pair of foldgagement with he tumbling levers traveling ing rolls beside the folding c linder, a shaft in a directionv contrarytothe lateral movejournaled in the folding cy inder carrying 90 ment of the tucker blades. tucker blades and moved laterally by the 18. In a rotary folder, the combination of cylinder, tumbling levers provided with pins foldin and cutting cylinders, a pair of foldattached to the opposite ends of said shaft, ing rc ls before the folding cylinder, shafts a rotary race way adjacent each end of the journaled in said folding cylinder carrying folding cylinder, and means for simul- 95 tucking blades and moved laterally by the taneously rotating the said race ways, said cylinder, tumbling levers on opposite ends rotary race ways acting in alternation and of each of'said shafts, and rotary race ways, one of said race ways engaging one ofthe adjacent the folding rolls and at opposite tumbling levers on the said shaft to cause ends of the cylinder, adapted to alternately the tucker blades to direct the sheet between 100 engage the said tumbling levers to respecthe folding rolls, and the other of said retively cause the projection and retraction of tary race ways engaging the other tumblin the tucking blades, the said race ways mov-' lever on said shaft to-cause the retraction o ing in a direction opposite to the direct-ion the tucker blades, the said race ways movtaneously rotating the said r'ace ways in the of lateral movement of the tucker blades at mg in a direction opposite to the direction of 105 the times and points of their operation lateral movement of the tucker blades at the thereon. t times and points of their operation thereon. 19. In combination, cutting and folding In testimony that I claim the foregoing as cylinders, folding devices beside the folding my own, I atiix my signature in presence of cylinder, tucker blades in the folding cylintwo Witnesses.

der and moved laterally thereby, tumbling 4 HEN-RY F. BECHMAN, .55 levers attached to opposite ends of each of Witnesses:

said blades, a rotary race way at each end F. W. DUNNING,

of the folding cylinder, means for simul- "IRVING K. S'roNE. 

